North Stars kick off weekend series with Klippers

Kindersley (13-20-1) are fourth in the division and 11^th of the league’s 12 teams overall, with 27 points on the season. With just two wins over their last 10 games, the Klippers will be eager to get back in the win column on home ice coming off a 4-3 loss to Melville last weekend.

Stars head coach, Brayden Klimosko said he’s liked his team’s game overall of late, noting they’ll need to be ready to go to match Kindersley’s hunger on Friday.

“They’re trying to make a playoff push too like any team, so they’re going to be a good test and we need to be prepared for that,” Klimosko said. “We had a tough second period versus Humboldt last game, but that was about it. We just need to compete a bit better in our d-zone and fix up a few of those minor details tonight.”

Players to watch

Forward, Jake Southgate leads the North Stars with 16 goals, 22 assists and 38 points this season. The Battlefords local has been especially hot of late, with two goals and seven points through the first three games of the new year earning him runner-up status for SJHL MVP of the Week.

Southgate’s linemate, Keiton Klein has also flourished since being moved up to the opposite flank of the left winger. Klein has three goals, five points over his last three games, and will be looking to extend his scoring streak to four straight, Friday.

On the backend, blue liner Tynan Ewart has been climbing the defenceman scoring charts with two goals and five points in his past three to be named SJHL Defenceman of the Week as part of a larger five-game point streak. The 19-year-old now sits fourth overall amongst rearguards with 24 points on the year.

Affiliated players call-up Jacob Zeigler will also make his SJHL debut on the backend for the Stars as the 17-year-old will fill-in in the absence of defenceman, Easton Rask, who will miss the night’s contest due to illness.

Kindersley is led up front by forward, Tylin Hilbig. The 6-3 winger leads all Klippers with 13 goals and 22 points this year coming off a one goal performance against Melville.

Veteran Klippers’ forward, Jaxon Georget, and newly-acquired vet, Andrew Schaab, sit tied for second in team scoring with 19 points apiece.

Schaab played the first 36 games this year with Nipawin before being acquired by the Klippers ahead of the CJHL Trade Deadline earlier in the week. Friday is expected to mark his debut with his new team.

Special teams

The North Stars hold the edge on the man advantage clicking at just under 24 percent (3^rd overall) to Kindersley’s 11 percent (12th). However, the Klippers have been better on the penalty kill as the team has been effective on 80 percent of their kills (6^th), to the Stars’ 77 percent (10^th).

Goaltending

Seventeen-year-old, Lowen Kenyon will start for the Stars Friday, with newly-acquired tender, Austin Schwab, expected to get the nod Saturday.

In seven games with the team this year, Kenyon is 3-1-1, with a 2.21 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.

Kindersley are likely to start Matthew Pesenti, who has gotten the call in each of the team’s last three games. In 23 games this year, Pesenti is 7-14-1 with a 3.03 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

Friday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7 p.m., with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

North Stars lineup

Forwards:

#21 J. Southgate, #16 H. Doell, #23 K. Klein

#3 Z. Florence, #28 D. Esau, #20 R. McNinch

#25 C. Bear, #9 D. Prymak, #24 S. Kesslering

#11 M. Henry, #18 E. Wurst, #27 E. Scriven

Defencemen:

#14 J. Ziegler (AP), #22 R. Little

#7 S. Witt, #6 T. Gold

#2 T. Ewart, #4 J. Grill

Goaltenders:

#35 L. Kenyon

#1 A. Schwab

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars kick off weekend series with Klippers

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